Asian Games champion wins first position at Continental Tour in Poland on Wednesday. Her best throw was 62.59m
India’s Asian Games champion Annu Rani gained momentum ahead of Bhubaneswar’s World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze by winning first position at the Continental Tour in Poland. The 32 years old hurled the javelin to a distance of 62.59m to win first place.
Going by her current performance, Annu looks like a strong contender for women’s javelin throw title at Continental Tour in Bhubaneswar on August 10.
The Indian javelin thrower has already earned a ticket to Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September through world ranking quota. But needs to cement her place and consistent performance will be key to success.
The World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze in Bhubaneswar this weekend will be a good opportunity for competitors to earn valuable global points, says Bahadur Singh Sagoo, president of Athletics Federation of India (AFI). The one-day global competition jointly organised by the Government of Odisha and AFI is scheduled to be at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium on August 10 has a total prize money of $ 25,000.
Neeraj Chopra
India’s two-time Olympic Games medallist, Neeraj Chopra is all set to defend his title at the Tokyo World Championships, says AFI president. “He (Chopra) is training in Europe in preparation for Worlds,” adds Sagoo.
According to the AFI president, more than ten Indian athletes have already made the cut for the September 13-21 Tokyo World Athletics Championships in Japan. “We are expecting more athletes to make the cut for prestigious global competition. The deadline to achieve qualification is August 24, 2025,” adds Sagoo.
Addressing the media during the pre-event of the Continental Tour here on Wednesday, Sagoo says the response to one-day meet has been overwhelming. “Athletes from more than 15 countries will be seen in action in Bhubaneswar this weekend,” reveals Sagoo.
Strong Indian team
A strong home team of more than 90 athletes will showcase their potential on Sunday in Bhubaneswar. India’s national record holder Animesh Kujur and middle distance runner Mohammad Afsal are among a core group of athletes who will be in action. Promising javelin thrower Sachin Yadav will look forward to breaking the 86m barrier. Yadav’s season and personal best of 85.16m was recorded on the way to silver at Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi.
According to the AFI president, World Athletics guidelines were followed to decide disciplines for this weekend’s global competition in Bhubaneswar.
“It is mandatory to include one throwing and one jumping event in the one-day meeting schedule. The competition should have a minimum of 12 disciplines, including five in the women’s group. Certain events couldn’t be featured as the duration of the one-day Continental Tour as per guidelines of World Athletics is two hours and 30 minutes,” adds the AFI president.
Good facilities
Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Commissioner and secretary sports of Government of Odisha says all the necessary arrangements for the successful conduct of the one-day global event has been done. “Odisha has good infrastructure to conduct global events,” says Jadhav. “After the successful conduct of World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze our next goal will be to host either Silver or Gold level events.”
